Regulation Summary

In 2025, ladder safety laws across Australia, including the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 in NSW, have reinforced the long-standing requirement that ladders must be set up and secured to prevent movement and used in a way that minimises the risk of a fall.

Key compliance points include:

• Ladders must meet AS/NZS 1892 design, load rating, and condition standards.

• Use ladders only for short-duration, low-risk tasks where safer alternatives (scaffolding, EWP) are not reasonably practicable.

• Extension ladders must be secured at the top, bottom, or both, or held in place by another person if securing is impossible.

• Maintain the 4:1 angle rule for every 4 metres of height; the base should be 1 metre from the structure.

• Always maintain three points of contact when climbing or descending.

These requirements are consistent with SafeWork NSW’s ladder safety advice, which also stresses choosing the right ladder for the job, inspecting it before use, and using safety devices like stabilisers and levellers.

Penalty Updates (2025)

Under the Model WHS Act, penalties for breaches have increased in line with CPI adjustments:

• Category 1 (reckless conduct) — up to $3.5 million for a body corporate, $700,000 for an individual, and/or 5 years imprisonment.

• Category 2 (failure exposing an individual to risk of death or serious injury) — up to $2.3 million for a body corporate, $464,000 for an individual.

• Category 3 (failure to comply with a health and safety duty) — up to $770,000 for a body corporate, $154,000 for an individual.

Failing to secure a ladder against movement, especially when working at height, can fall under Category 2 or 3, depending on the circumstances.

Must-Have Safety Equipment

SafeWork NSW and NSW legislation highlight that if a ladder is your only option, you should use ladder safety devices to reduce risk. These include:

• Lock-on ladder stabilisers — prevent lateral movement at the top.

• Ladder levellers — ensure stability on uneven ground.

• Anti-slip gutter guards — improve grip and protect surfaces.

• Tie-down straps — anchor the ladder to a fixed point.

• Walk-through handrails — provide safer transitions to roofs.

These devices directly support compliance with WHS Reg s79 (NSW) and equivalent provisions in other states, which require ladders to be secured against movement.

How Lock Jaw Ladder Grip Ensures Compliance

The Lock Jaw Ladder Grip is a lock-on stabiliser that clamps directly to the gutter, creating a rigid connection in seconds. This:

• Eliminates lateral slip at the top of the ladder.

• Meets the WHS requirement to secure ladders against movement.

• Reduces reliance on a second person to hold the ladder.

• Speeds up setup without compromising safety.

For roofers, contractors, and safety-minded homeowners, it’s a small investment that can help avoid the significant penalties outlined above and, more importantly, prevent serious injuries.